Nerves of steel as Lindfield FC clinch All Age Women’s State Cup
Northern Suburbs Football Association’s Lindfield FC were crowned All Ages Womens State Cup Champions 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout win against Miranda Magpies after it ended 1-1 at full-time Sunday night at Valentine Sports Park.
It was Lindfield FC who started fastest. Ciara O’Sullivan wriggled free from her defender and slashed an effort over.
Miranda Magpies FC responded with their own shot. Paris Whittaker found space and fizzed her shot over the bar.
The game continued at a steady pace. Jenna Kennedy created space inside the box for the Magpies and hooked it wide.
Lindfield FC made it 1-0 in the 20th minute. Maddie Bart threaded through Charlotte Patterson who tucked her finish into the bottom corner.
Next, Patterson tried to extend Lindfield FC’s advantage. She drove into space and unfurled a shot which
Miranda Magpies levelled the game from the spot. Emily Benton was fouled inside the box and dusted herself off to fire home for 1-1 in the 32nd minute.
Lindfield FC tried to get back their lead quickly. They swung in a corner which O’Sullivan craned right at the Magpies keeper.
Emma Whawell whipped in a free-kick late in the first half for the Magpies which found the head of Eden Stoddard who nodded wide.
Magpies goal scorer Benton tried to push them into the lead. It was worked around the box and fell to her and the attacker thrashed wide.
Lindfield FC started to zip the ball around to get back into the lead. Emily Wood cut inside and fired right at Magpies keeper Lauren Miletech.
Their next big opportunity came from a set piece. Maddie Bart stood over the free-kick and curled it right to Miletech.
Lindfield FC started to press themselves on the game. They had a corner which fell to Molly Woods on the edge of the box and went wide.
The combination between Patterson and O’Sullivan continued to thrive for Lindfield FC. The latter drove an effort low right to Miletech.
Stoddard went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 80th minute. She crashed her free-kick off the crossbar then it was scooped away by the Lindfield FC defence.
Heading towards stoppage time, Lindfield FC were denied by Miletech. She producing a flying save to tip over Sophia Hamilton’s strike.
The Magpies almost snatched the win in stoppage time. Stoddard found space and poked an effort agonisingly past the right post.
Lindfield FC had the best of it in extra time. They held possession and tried to find a way through the stout Magpies defence.
The best chance in the extra frame went to Lindfield FC. They worked a slick move which Hamilton turned home before the offside flag went up.
Neither team could find the breakthrough so the All Ages Women’s final headed to a penalty shootout.
Anna McGregor made two big saves in the shootout for Lindfield FC. That left it to Samara Liebenberg to step up. She drilled home her penalty to give Lindfield FC the win.
Match Stats
Lindfield FC 1 (Patterson ’20)
Miranda Magpies FC 1 (Benton ’32)
Lindfield FC: 1. Anna McGregor, 2. Bronte Finegan, 3. Charlotte Paterson, 4. Ciara O’Sullivan, 5. Eliza Apps, 6. Emily Woods, 7. Emma Dixon, 8. Emma Hochart, 9. Emma Watkins, 10. Erin Hannan, 11. Gen Love, 12. Hannah Turl, 13. Katie Mccarthy, 14. Maddie Bart, 15. Molly Woods, 16. Samara Liebenberg, 17. Saskia Geraghty, 18. Sophia Hamilton, 19. Taylor Ireland
Coach: Graham Nes, Manager: Naomi Woods
Miranda Magpies FC: 1. Lauren Miletech, 3. Carrie Pittman, 4. Claudia Tripi, 5. Jazmin Tiller, 6. Eden Stoddard, 8. Kristie Gargalis, 9. Allie Downie, 10. Jenna Kennedy, 11. Paris Whittaker, 12. Zoe Benjamin, 13. Emily Benton, 15. Victoria Tripi, 16. Jessica Ellis, 17. Emma Whawell, 1. Rhyanna Brown, 23. Ashlee Sutherland, 25. Brianna Whawell, 27. Sophie Chew
Coach: Peter Nicholls, Assistant Coach: Adam Stone, Manager: Marny Whawell
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
